Two significant figures in the cryptocurrency regulatory space, SEC nominee Paul Atkins and OCC nominee Jonathan Gould, are scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking Committee on March 27.

What to Know:

• The Senate Banking Committee will hold hearings for Paul Atkins, who is nominated to chair the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, alongside Jonathan Gould, who is nominated to oversee the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
• If approved by the committee, their nominations will then be forwarded to the full Senate for confirmation before they can take office.

Paul Atkins has previously advocated for digital assets, running a private advisory firm on financial compliance. His nomination came during a pivotal time as the SEC shifts its approach under acting chair Mark Uyeda. With new leadership, there is an expectation to continue a more favorable stance toward cryptocurrency regulation and oversight.

In addition, the OCC may play a vital role in expanding banking access for digital asset companies in the U.S. Moreover, Luke Pettit is also on the agenda for consideration as the assistant treasury secretary.

Atkins is expected to push for the continuation of policies that support domain development and its implications for digital assets.